What is Hippotherapy?

​Hippotherapy is a medical treatment and specialized form of physical, occupational, or speech therapy that uses the horse's unique movement as a tool to improve various skills and abilities. It enhances physical, mental, and emotional well-being in individuals with specific needs.  Hippotherapy sessions are led and directed by physical, occupational, or speech therapists who use the horse's movements to achieve specific therapeutic goals to help people with various physical, developmental, or cognitive disabilities.

According the American Hippotherapy Association, "The term hippotherapy refers to how occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology professionals use evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the purposeful manipulation of equine (horse) movement as a therapy tool to engage sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes. Best practice dictates that occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology professionals integrate hippotherapy into the patient’s plan of care, along with other therapy tools and/or strategies. "

Hippotherapy is:

• Not just riding:
  Unlike regular horseback riding, hippotherapy focuses on the therapeutic benefits of the horse's movement, not the riding itself. 
• Therapist-led:
  A therapist, such as a physical, occupational, or speech therapist, directs the session and uses the horse's movements to achieve specific therapeutic goals. 
• Passive participation:
  The person being treated (the patient) sits on the horse and passively interacts with its movements, responding to the rhythm and motion. 
• Various applications:
  Hippotherapy can be used to address a wide range of issues, including balance, coordination, muscle strength, sensory processing, and even cognitive skills. 
• Unique approach:
  The horse's natural gait and movement mimic human walking, providing a natural and dynamic way to engage the body and mind.